Trent Richardson's NFL postseason debut won't go down as one of his greatest memories.

Against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Colts running back recorded exactly one carry and one ... fumble.

Richardson fumbled early in the second quarter in Saturday's wild card game, giving Kansas City possession at the Colts' 17-yard line. Three plays later, the Chiefs scored to extend their lead to 24-7.

It was not the kind of playoff experience Richardson had long dreamed about, though he did have some key moments as a pass protector later in the game. But Richardson believes he'll have a chance to make amends — and so do his coaches.

"You feel like you've got to redeem yourself for it," Richardson said. "You feel like you've got to make a statement. ... That's one thing that my brother has always told me: the fastest way to get yourself on the bench is fumbling the ball. And that replays in my head every day when I come out to work."

Offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton said he wouldn't hesitate to use Richardson in Saturday's divisional playoff game at New England, even though Donald Brown had the rest of the carries following Richardson's fumble.

"The game itself, after the fumble, really dictated that we went into more of an attack mode," Hamilton said. "Trent actually did a great job of playing without the ball. His ability to take on those linebackers and handle all the different blitzes that we started to see, especially late in that game, was a big part of our success. No, I haven't lost any confidence in Trent at all. As a matter of fact, we're counting on Trent and Donald and even Tashard (Choice) because we only have a few backs to be ready to go out and play."

Our analysis: The Colts could really benefit from a consistent running game against the Patriots on Saturday, increasing the likelihood that they'll need Richardson's contributions. The Patriots' offensive tempo, often a no-huddle attack, makes resting the Colts' defense critical.

Moving the chains by running the ball allows the Colts to dictate the game's tempo while setting up opportunities for more of the big plays they registered against the Chiefs.

And, in the end, the Colts shouldn't have major concerns about Richardson's ball security. He lost just one fumble in the regular season in 185 touches, and it was the first fumble of his NFL career.

"I don't fumble," he said. "That's something that I had to work on all week (mentally). I know that's not me."

Safety LaRon Landry's concussion tests improved to the point where he was cleared to practice on Thursday, although that does not necessarily mean he'll be available Saturday. NFL concussion guidelines require a different threshold for players to be cleared to play in actual games.

But, while on the field Thursday, Landry looked ready for action, defensive coordinator Greg Manusky said.

"I think LaRon is ready to roll," he said.

Mixed signals?

The Patriots remain infamous for their involvement in the Spygate scandal in 2007, in which they were found by the NFL to be stealing opponents' signals through prohibited videotaping methods.

Hamilton seemed to make a not-so-veiled reference to the practice when he was asked Wednesday about his time on the New York Jets' staff from 2003-05.

"I do know for a fact that it was always a 60-minute chess match," he said. "It was ever-changing looks and disguises, and they always tend to find ways to figure out some of your signals."

Hamilton did compliment New England coach Bill Belichick, saying, "It's truly an honor to have an opportunity to field a team and compete against the likes of Coach Belichick who will go down as one of the greatest coaches in the history of the National Football League."